BlueOval SK, a joint venture between Ford Motor Company and SK On, is constructing the BlueOval SK Battery Park in Glendale, KY. Twin battery plants will produce lithium-ion batteries to power next-generation electric Ford and Lincoln vehicles. Wade Trim is leading civil engineering for developing portions of this 800+ acre industrial site, supporting consultant Ghafari and contractor Barton Malow. Key design responsibilities included mass grading, landscape architecture, soil erosion control, parking lots, a ring road, and comprehensive stormwater management.

Creative design solutions and strong relationships yielded a significant cost savings throughout the project. By coordinating with the project team and Hardin County jurisdiction, we were able to successfully acquire necessary permits and clarify project goals aligned with county and state objectives. Stormwater management design accommodated the site’s massive size and varied topography and was revised based on field-discovered soil conditions, saving over 500,000 yards of soil from being transported offsite. To channel water from the northern end of the site to the southern end, a 30-foot elevation variance was leveled by designing a series of hills and ponds with storm sewer piping and box culverts. In addition, the site’s landscape buffer was simplified, and a super-elevated ring road was designed that redirects stormwater and eliminates the need for a mile of curbing.

Construction of the first battery plant is complete with production expected to begin in 2025. This marks a significant advancement in the future of automotive manufacturing.